Hello everyone and welcome to this week’s Monday Night RAW recap. Filling in for the esteemed David Stephens, so I hope I do all of you, as well as him, proud with this recap.

So, if you all are ready, then since that horrible band known as Nickelback is playing the intro, let’s get on with the show!

We see the annual video for Memorial Day honoring the United States Armed Forces.

We then see video of what happened at Over the Limit between John Cena & Johnny Ace as well as what happened last week on RAW involving Cena & The Big Show.

In the arena, we hear the familiar music of The Big Show as he makes his way to the ring, dressed to the nines in a suit.

Big Show has a smile on his face as he says “This is me doing my job, this is me smiling”. “It was easy making you people smile, I didn’t mind doing it”. “But, it was a calculated business decision”. “I was a businessman who also happened to be a giant”. “But, all that’s over now”. Big Show mocks the “What” chant, then says “he doesn’t have to smile anymore because he has an ironclad contract”. The crowd chants “Cena” as Big Show says “he has an ironclad contract with a fat bonus which means he is set for life”. “It means I can do whatever to whomever, wherever I want and I don’t have to be concerned about making the crowd smile”. “I’m 7 foot, 420 pounds, I am not an entertainer, I am a giant”. “There is no one in my league, no one from the NBA, NFL, or UFC, or certainly no one in the WWE that is in my league”. “Maybe that’s why no WWE superstar came to my defense when I had the most humiliating moment of my life, begging for my job”. He goes to video of minutes after he was fired when Brodus Clay danced for the crowd. Coming back, Big Show is in disgust and says “My tears were not even dry and Brodus Clay was dancing, DANCING! “You guys who I thought were my friends, Kofi & Truth, having a good ol’ time, as well as you people”. “It was easy for you to move on”. The crowd chants “Cena” again as Show says “You people are so shallow, you’re so phony”. “But after all that, there’s one guy who disappointed me the most and that man is John Cena”. “When I saw Cena in the ring, I thought he was gonna fight for his friend, I thought Cena was gonna threaten a mutiny unless Ace re-hired me.” “Instead, he did this” as Show goes to a video of Cena mocking Johnny Ace 2 weeks ago. Big Show says “Cena made jokes.” “I guess that’s all I am, just one big joke”. “Well Cena hurt me when he decided he didn’t care and last week, I hurt him, I knocked John Cena out twice within 24 hours”. “Now what I’m gonna do to John Cena at No Way Out won’t be pretty”. “John Cena will be standing across the ring with an unstoppable giant”. “You think Cena stuffed his greatest loss to the Rock at Wrestlemania”. “You think Cena suffered his greatest beating by Brock Lesnar at Extreme Rules”. “You think Cena suffered his most humiliating loss to Johnny Ace at Over the Limit”. “At No Way Out, Cena is gonna suffer all 3 and that puts a smile on my face”.

Del Rio instantly attacks Santino and rains in right hands. Del Rio sends Santino to the corner, then charges, but Santino moves. Santino with a hiptoss, followed by a headbutt. Santino goes for the Cobra, but Del Ro nails him with a kick to the gut.

Del Rio then locks Santino in the Cross Armbreaker and Santino has no choice but to tapout.

Winner: Alberto Del Rio by submission (Cross Armbreaker)

After the match, Ricardo announces Del Rio as the winner multiple times in Santino’s face.

We go backstage where Eve Torres is with Alex Riley. Riley compliments Eve, but then the Big Show walks in as Eve tells Show that he gets to pick his opponent tonight. Riley starts to back down, then says it was wrong what happened to Show 2 weeks ago. Show says he is not gonna pick Riley as his opponent, but says he has a message to the WWE locker room. Show sends Riley face first into the wall, then walks away.

Riley is in pain as we go to commercial.

Commercial

Back from commercial, we see a shot of Bourbon Street before our next match.

Kingston & Swagger start things off. Swagger takes advantage, but then Kingston comes back with a dropkick. Tag into Truth and the champs hit a double hiptoss. Truth then hits his split-legged dancing leg drop for a nearfall. Swagger goes for an Irish whip, but Truth holds on and does a gyration. Swagger charges, but Truth sidesteps him and Swagger goes out to the outside. Ziggler comes in, but the champs nail him with a double enziguri that sends Ziggler to the outside. Kingston then with a baseball slide to both Ziggler & Swagger.

The champs are in control as we go to commercial.

Commercial

Back from commercial as Swagger has Kingston in a double chickenwing. We see that during the commercial break, Ziggler distracted Kingston allowing Swagger to send him into the barricade. Back to live action as Kingston tries to fight back, but Swagger regains the advantage. Swagger with a slam, then tags in Ziggler. Ziggler with the hair flick leaping elbow drop for a nearfall. Ziggler locks in an armbar as the crowd tries to will on Kingston. Kingston gets out, but Ziggler with a kick. Ziggler charges, but Kingston moves out of the way.

Truth & Swagger get the tag and Truth with a clothesline, followed by a victory roll for a nearfall. Truth then with a DDT for a nearfall as Ziggler broke it up. Kingston then takes out Ziggler with a crossbody. Swagger then with a roll-up on Truth for a nearfall. Swagger goes for a slam, but Truth rolls off his back.

After the match, Ziggler & Swagger argue about the loss as Ziggler says he is Dolph Ziggler and is better than is. Ziggler then walks off in frustration.

Backstage, we see Santino being checked out by a trainer when the Big Show walks in. Big Show grabs Santino by the throat and says it was so funny that he got fired, bullying him. Brodus Clay then walks in and says if you want an opponent tonight, you got one. Show says after tonight there will be no more dancing because tonight, you will no longer be walking.

Cole & Lawler hype up once again the Punk-Bryan match for later tonight as we go to commercial.

Commercial

Back from commercial, we see a “Did You Know” video about the Be a Star Initiative.

Ring announcer Justin Roberts introduces General Manager Johnny Ace, who comes out with David Otunga & Eve. Ace says his usual introduction, then says he has several announcements to make. The first is that Big Show will indeed face Brodus Clay tonight. Secondly, to ensure no interference at No Way Out, the Cena-Big Show match will now take in a Steel Cage. Lastly, since his win over John Cena at Over the Limit, he is the most popular wrestler in the WWE. And he has proof. Ace says that the WWE 13 videogame will be coming out soon and they need a great cover man. Someone who embodies People Power. Ace reveals the cover with himself on it. Ace says the game will be bigger than Pac-Man. Ace continues to talk, but is interrupted by WWE Champion CM Punk.

Punk comes down to the ring, but not before putting gum on Ace’s wheelchair. The crowd chants for Punk as he says Pac-Man, that’s a timely reference, considering you & Pac-Man have no testicles whatsoever. There was no ground swell to put you on the cover, you are not that popular at all. The WWE 13 cover is a prestigious thing for a WWE Superstar. And the cover man is a hell of a lot better looking than you. Punk then reveals the real cover for WWE 13 with himself on the cover. Punk says he never got to say this to Ace, but mine is a lot bigger than yours. I know Eve is looking at it. A wrestling video game with an actual wrestler on the cover, what a concept? I know what you are gonna say, you are gonna try and put me in some sort of wacky match. That will not happen because the Board of Directors are watching and you don’t want them to have any more ammo. Ace says “Good luck” to Punk, then leaves.

Cole says WWE 13 is trending worldwide. Punk takes off the fake WWE 13 cover and breaks it apart with a kick as Ace leaves.

Cole says that the Punk-Bryan match is NEXT as we go to commercial.

Commercial

Back from commercial, Cole hypes up that tomorrow on IGN.com, the WWE 13 trailer will be revealed along with some features before our next match.

WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan

Numerous “YES” chants as the bell sounds. Lock-up and Bryan with a side headlock. Irish whip by Punk, but Bryan with a shoulder tackle. Punk comes back with a hiptoss, followed by an armdrag into an armbar. “CM Punk” chants start as Punk with a wristlock. Bryan gets out and takes Punk over into his own armbar. Bryan pulls at the wrist, then stomps on the elbow. Bryan goes back to the armbar as the crowd wills on Punk. Punk gets out, then catches Bryan with an inverted atomic drop, followed by a series of kneedrops for a 1 count. Punk goes to a body scissors as Bryan tries to break free. Punk then switches into a Bow & Arrow. Bryan gets out and gains a 1 count. Bryan with a Jackknife pin for a nearfall. Punk then bridges out and goes for a backslide. Bryan counters, but then Punk with a backbreaker for a nearfall. Punk with a gourdbuster sending Bryan across the ropes. Punk goes after Bryan again, but Bryan pulls at the arm. Bryan heads up top and hits a flying knee to Punk’s arm. Bryan sends Punk to the outside, then does a “YES”. Bryan goes to charge, but Punk moves out of the way. Punk then hits a springboard turnaround crossbody on Bryan as we see A.J. make her way to the ring, wearing a Punk T-Shirt.

Punk sends Bryan back into the ring as we go to commercial.

Commercial

Back from commercial as Punk stomps away at Bryan in the corner as A.J. looks on. We see that during the commercial break, Bryan hit Punk with his running knee off the apron. Back to live action as Bryan does his backflip, but Punk nails him with a kick. Punk goes for another crossbody, but Bryan moves out of the way.

Bryan then hits Punk with a running dropkick to the arm. Bryan then locks in a unique arm submission as the crowd wills on Punk. Punk breaks free, but Bryan pulls at the arm again. Bryan charges and connects with another running dropkick for a nearfall. Bryan measures Punk, but Punk fights back. Bryan then goes back to the arm with an arm lock. Bryan then with a Northern Lights suplex for another nearfall. Bryan goes back to the armbar as the crowd again tries to will on Punk. Punk goes to break free, but again Bryan pulls at the arm. Bryan goes off the ropes, but Punk nails him with a kitchen sink.

Punk with a series of kicks, followed by a leg lariat. Punk then with a back elbow, followed by a swinging neckbreaker for a nearfall. Punk charges and connects with the running knee, then goes for the bulldog, but Bryan breaks free. Bryan goes for a kick, but Punk with a roll-up for a nearfall. Punk then goes out to the apron and hits his springboard clothesline for another nearfall. Punk positions Bryan, then heads up top. Punk calls for the Macho Elbow, but Bryan gets up and crotches Punk on the ropes. Bryan goes up with him and then connects with a Top Rope Superplex for a close nearfall. A.J. gets up on the apron as Bryan removes the turnbuckle pad. Bryan then turns around into a big Punk roundhouse kick for a nearfall.

Punk has words with A.J, then charges, but Bryan sends him facefirst into the exposed turnbuckle for the victory.

Winner: Daniel Bryan by pinfall (Exposed Turnbuckle)

After the match, Kane comes in and nails Bryan twice in the ribs with a steel chair. Kane then chokeslams Bryan on the steel chair. A.J. then tosses Punk a chair and Punk unloads on Kane with numerous steel chair shots, sending Kane to the outside. A.J. has a smile on her face on the outside as Punk stands tall in the ring.

Punk & A.J. share a look while Cole hypes up the Big Show-Brodus Clay match for later tonight as we go to commercial.

Commercial

Back from commercial, we get a shot of the Mississippi River in New Orleans before our next match.

WWE Intercontinental Champion Christian vs. The Miz

Cody Rhodes joins Cole & Lawler on commentary for this match. Christian claps to get the fans into the match. Miz with a side headlock, but Christian with a shoulder tackle. Christian then goes for his 2nd rope Sunset flip, but Miz with a kick for a nearfall. Miz with left hands in the corner, then charges and connects with his through the ropes clothesline. Miz goes up top and connects with a double sledge for a nearfall. Miz locks in a chinlock as the crowd wills on Christian. Christian breaks free, but then Miz hits the Reality Check for another nearfall. Miz drops down on Christian’s back with his body weight, then goes back to the chinlock. Christian gets up, but Miz places him on the top turnbuckle. Christian breaks free, then hits a missile dropkick for a nearfall. Christian with an uppercut, followed by the diving reverse DDT. Christian charges and goes for a spear, but runs into a Miz big boot for a nearfall. Miz with some more left hands, but Christian gets his boots up. Christian with a flying back elbow off the 2nd rope, but then Rhodes distracts Christian and that allows Miz to try and go for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Christian counters it. Christian goes for the Killswitch, but Miz counters that. Miz charges, but Christian moves out of the way.

Christian then hits the KillSwitch, followed by the Top Rope Frog Splash for the victory.

Winner: Christian by pinfall (Top Rope Frog Splash)

Rhodes & Christian have a staredown as we go to the back.

Backstage, Johnny Ace is with Eve & David Otunga. Eve wants Teddy Long to get her coffee as Ace says he is disappointed with both of them. Ace is disappointed that Otunga lasted in less time than he did in John Cena’s STF. And he is disappointed in Eve for not getting Sheamus to apologize on Smackdown last week. Otunga says he wants a match with Sheamus tonight and Ace grants him it. Teddy comes back with the coffee, but Eve spits it out at him, saying its cold.

Long said it is supposed to be cold because its iced coffee as we go to commercial.

Commercial

Back from commercial as the Miz is still in the ring, after losing to Christian.

Miz says he wants that match stricken from the record books because it wasn’t for the title. Miz says he scored the pinfall for Team Johnny at Wrestlemania, but what have I gotten since then? Nothing. Miz is then interrupted by Randy Orton, who makes his way down to the ring. Miz continues to talk, but Orton drills him with the RKO. Orton poses for the crowd as we see Dolph Ziggler & Vickie Guerrero backstage. Dolph says he wants to be out of a tag team and Vickie says she will see what see can do as Orton continues to pose.

Lawler hypes again the Brodus-Big Show match for later on tonight.

Then, we see Sheamus walking backstage as he will face David Otunga NEXT.

Cole & Lawler bring up Memorial Day and then take us to pre-recorded comments from John Cena about what Memorial Day means to him before we go to commercial.

Commercial

Back from commercial, we hear that this Friday on Smackdown, CM Punk will defend the WWE Title against Kane before our next match.

Otunga with a series of right hands, but Sheamus comes back with a series of clubs. Sheamus then with a clothesline. Sheamus tries to go after Otunga on the apron, but Otunga hotshots him. Otunga then with a clothesline for a 1 count. Otunga with a Dragon Sleeper, followed by a series of clubs to the chest. Otunga then with a basement shoulder tackle for a nearfall. Otunga with a series of knees to the gut, then taunts the crowd. Sheamus then comes back with a clothesline, followed by the 10 clubs to the chest on the apron. Sheamus then lifts up Otunga and hits the White Noise.

Sheamus fires himself up by pounding his chest, saying “Brogue” each time, then charges and drills Otunga with the Brogue Kick for the victory.

Big Show as a mic before the match and says that he is a fan of Brodus. He says he thought he was a goof when he faced Akebono, but its not as embarrassing as what you do. Brodus leaves as Show says he should get makeup and dress up like Doink, but the difference is, Doink had talent. Show then charges Brodus and drills him with a Spear.

Show with an overhand chop to Brodus by the barricade, but then Brodus fights back. However, Show then whips Brodus into the ringpost. Show sends Brodus backfirst into the ringpost, then stomps him as the crowd loudly boos Show. Show then removes the table parts as Kofi Kingston & R-Truth come out to help, but then Show sends Kingston into Truth and both are down. Show then stomps down the table, breaking it and takes a piece from it. Show then nails Brodus across the back with the table piece multiple times as the crowd chants “Cena”. Show then gets Truth and nails him with a knee to the gut before throwing him down. Kingston now tries to come in, but Show goozles him. Show then sends Kingston hard into the timekeeper’s table. Show now has Truth and whips him hard into the steel steps. Show then drills Brodus with the WMD punch.

The ringside area is a sea of carnage as Kingston, Truth & Brodus are all down & out at ringside while Show stands tall. We then see a replay of what transpired. Big Show walks up the ramp and surveys his carnage while looking at a Big Show is a Sell-Out” sign.

On the rampway, Johnny Ace comes out and raises Big Show’s hand as we go to credits.

My Thoughts

A little bit better edition of RAW than the previous 2 weeks, but still was a very bland and boring show IMO. When you don’t have John Cena as part of your show, it seems like it can tend to be this way.

The Big Show stuff was fine to try and get him back over as a monster, but I still feel that the crying bit 2 weeks back killed what was left of his aura as this unstoppable giant. We’ll see where they go from here, but I do not have high hopes.

The stuff with Punk-Bryan was good, match was solid and I liked the continuation of the A.J. stuff. There are many different ways they can go with this, so I am intrigued at what happens next.

Rest of show was OK, but seemed like a lot of filler. Looking like Dolph is going to be taking the place of Jericho against Orton and all In have to say is, SIGN ME UP, because those two have had great matches on TV over the past year and with more time on PPV, who knows what they can pull off. Besides that, nothing really of note to comment on the show.

Overall, better than recent weeks, but still just very pedestrian.

My Grade: C

This week on the Independent Roundtable:

We go back to the land of CHIKARA with reviews of their April shows, “I’ll be a Mummy’s Uncle & “Hot off the Griddle”, which featured 2 1st time ever matches between CHIKARA Grand Champion Eddie Kingston & Kevin Steen, as well as “The Generic Luchador” El Generico going up against “The Queen of Wrestling” Sara Del Rey